Methodology for controlling a hydraulic control system of a continuously variable transmission

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic control system for a CVT may include a pressure regulator subsystem, a ratio control subsystem, a torque converter control (TCC) subsystem, a clutch control subsystem, and is enabled for automatic engine start/stop (ESS) functionality. A system and method are provided for performing an engine auto-stop in a vehicle having a CVT transmission and using an accumulator to fill the pulleys and clutches of the CVT, at least in part, during engine restart.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/269,794 filed May 5,2015 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/829,336 filed May 31, 2013. The disclosure of the above applicationsare incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a method for controlling a continuouslyvariable transmission, and more particularly to method of controlling anelectro-hydraulic control system of a continuously variable transmissionto implement an automatic stop/start event.

BACKGROUND

A typical continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes a hydrauliccontrol system that is employed to provide cooling and lubrication tocomponents within the CVT and to actuate torque transmitting devicessuch as drive clutches or torque converter clutches, belt pulleypositions. The conventional hydraulic control system typically includesa main pump that provides a pressurized fluid, such as oil, to aplurality of valves and solenoids within a valve body. The main pump isdriven by the engine of the motor vehicle. The valves and solenoids areoperable to direct the pressurized hydraulic fluid through a hydraulicfluid circuit to various subsystems including lubrication subsystems,cooler subsystems, torque converter clutch control subsystems, and shiftactuator subsystems that include actuators that engage the torquetransmitting devices and the pulleys that move the belt of the CVT. Thepressurized hydraulic fluid delivered to the pulleys is used to positionthe belt relative to input and output pulleys in order to obtaindifferent gear ratios.

A CVT may have a primary and a secondary pulley set connected by a beltor other power transmission device. In order to adjust the primary orsecondary pulley set, the respective axially movable pulley is actuatedwith a pressure medium from a pressure source. The ratio of the CVT ischanged by reducing or increasing the pressure acting on one of thesheave halves of one of the pulleys, generally the input pulley, whilethe pressure at the other pulley may be maintained substantiallyconstant. The continuously variable unit requires a high pressure toensure sufficient clamping forces for the belt and pulley mechanism, asslippage of the belt against the pulleys is often undesirable. Theamount of clamping pressure required is a function of the input torqueto the transmission and the ratio at which the variable transmissionunit is operating. If the clamping pressure is low, there is apossibility of belt slippage.

The control pressure level required to engage the torque transmittingmechanisms is generally lower than the pressure required to control theCVT pulleys. The amount of pressure required in the torque transmittingmechanisms is essentially a function of torque being transmitted andsize of the conventional clutch hardware, consisting of a movable pistonand a clutch pack. If the control pressure is below the required value,slippage of the friction plates can occur, which will shorten the lifeof the torque transmitting mechanisms.

In order to increase the fuel economy of motor vehicles havingconventional planetary gear automatic transmissions, it has beendesirable to stop the engine during certain circumstances, such as whenstopped at a red light or idling. However, after the engine has beenshut down and has remained off for an extended period of time, the fluidgenerally tends to drain down from the passages into a transmission sumpunder the force of gravity. Upon engine restart, the transmission maytake an appreciable amount of time to establish pressure before fulltransmission operation may resume. Such engine start/stop algorithmshave typically not been used in CVT transmission systems due to theextra amount of time and fluid pressure that it would take to bring theCVT transmission up to the pressure that it needs to properly operatethe pulleys without belt slippage.

SUMMARY

A hydraulic control system and method for a CVT is provided. Thehydraulic control system may include, for example, a pressure regulatorsubsystem, a ratio control subsystem, a torque converter control (TCC)subsystem, and a clutch control subsystem. The hydraulic control systemis enabled for automatic engine start/stop (ESS) functionality. Anaccumulator is used to fill the pulleys and CVT clutches of a CVTtransmission, enabling the vehicle to quickly launch after a vehiclerestart. In some variations, the system and method includes passivelyfeeding an accumulator when line pressure is above accumulator pressure.A pump ball check-valve (or other one-way valve) may prevent draindownof the pulley and CVT clutch pressure.

The system and method may include steps for ensuring that the CVTcontrol system will be able to restart the system with little delay. Forexample, the system and method may include steps of: determining theaccumulator stored volume; determining whether the accumulator isfilled; determining whether a vehicle stop has occurred; determiningwhether an engine autostop is advisable/allowable, based on vehicleconditions; determining whether transmission conditions are appropriatefor an autostop, or in the alternative, would inhibit an autostop; andallowing the autostop to happen. In another variation, the system andmethod may include steps of: determining whether the pump output modelindicates that the accumulator can be actively filled by the systemwithout compromising hydraulic control system performance; opening anaccumulator solenoid; determining the accumulator stored volume;determining whether the accumulator is filled; determining whether avehicle stop has occurred; determining whether an engine autostop isadvisable/allowable, based on vehicle conditions; determining whethertransmission conditions are appropriate for an autostop, or in thealternative, would inhibit an autostop; and allowing the autostop tohappen.

In still another variation, the system and method may include steps forrestarting the system after an autostop. For example, the system andmethod may include steps of: receiving an “engine on” command; enablinga pulley fill pressure solenoid command; enabling an accumulatorsolenoid on command; enabling a CVT clutch fill pressure solenoidcommand; determining whether the pulleys are filled; if so, filling theCVT clutch(es) to capacity; determining whether the CVT pulleys andclutches are filled; determining whether the engine is at or above idlespeed; and closing the accumulator solenoid or turning off theaccumulator solenoid. The method may also include implementing regularpulley control and CVT clutch control algorithms.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent by reference to the following description and appended drawingswherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element orfeature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1A is diagram of a portion of a hydraulic control system, accordingto the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is diagram of another portion of the hydraulic control system,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is diagram of another portion of the hydraulic control system,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is diagram of another portion of the hydraulic control system,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1E is diagram of another portion of the hydraulic control system,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating steps of a method of operatingthe hydraulic control system of FIG. 1, in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating steps of another method ofoperating the hydraulic control system of FIG. 1, or a variationthereof, according to the principles of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating steps of still another method ofoperating the hydraulic control system of FIG. 1, which may be combinedwith the methods of FIGS. 2-3, in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1E, a hydraulic control system according tothe principles of the present disclosure is generally indicated byreference number 100. The hydraulic control system 100 includes aplurality of interconnected or hydraulically communicating circuits orsubsystems including a pressure regulator subsystem 102, a ratio controlsubsystem 104, a torque converter control (TCC) subsystem 106, and aclutch control subsystem 108.

The pressure regulator subsystem 102 is operable to provide and regulatepressurized hydraulic fluid 113, such as oil, throughout the hydrauliccontrol system 100. The pressure regulator subsystem 102 draws hydraulicfluid 113 from a sump 114. The sump 114 is a tank or reservoirpreferably disposed at the bottom of a transmission housing to which thehydraulic fluid 113 returns and collects from various components andregions of the transmission. The hydraulic fluid 113 is forced from thesump 114 and communicated through a sump filter 116 and throughout thehydraulic control system 100 via a pump 118. The pump 118 is preferablydriven by an engine (not shown) and may be, for example, a gear pump, avane pump, a gerotor pump, or any other positive displacement pump. Inone example, the pump 118 includes outlet ports 120A and 1208 and inletports 122A and 122B. The inlet ports 122A and 122B communicate with thesump 114 via a suction line 124. The outlet ports 120A and 120Bcommunicate pressurized hydraulic fluid 113 to a supply line 126.

The supply line 126 communicates hydraulic fluid from the pump 118 to aspring biased blow-off safety valve 130, to a pressure regulator valve132, and to an optional accumulator 133. The safety valve 130 is set ata relatively high predetermined pressure and if the pressure of thehydraulic fluid in the supply line 126 exceeds this pressure, the safetyvalve 130 opens momentarily to relieve and reduce the pressure of thehydraulic fluid.

The pressure regulator valve 132 is configured to bleed off pressurefrom the main supply line 126 to a return line 135. The return line 135communicates with the suction line 124. The pressure regulator valve 132includes ports 132A-G. Port 132A is in communication with a signal fluidline 140. Port 132B is in communication with a TCC feed line 142. Ports132C is in communication with a main supply line 144 through a one-waycheck valve 145. Port 132D is in communication with the supply line 126.Port 132E is in communication with the bypass line 135. Port 132F is anexhaust port and is in communication with the sump 114 or an exhaustbackfill circuit. Port 132G is in communication with the supply line 126through a flow restriction orifice 147.

The pressure regulator valve 132 further includes a spool 146 slidablydisposed within a bore 148. The pressure regulator valve 132 alsoprovides hydraulic fluid to the TCC feed line 142. The spool 146automatically changes position to dump excess flow from the supply line126 to the TCC feed line 142 and then additional excess flow to thereturn line 135 until a pressure balance is achieved between a commandedpressure and the actual pressure. The spool 146 is modulated by a linepressure control solenoid 150 that communicates with the signal line140. The line pressure control solenoid 150 receives hydraulic fluidfrom a solenoid feed line 152 and is preferably a low flow, normallyhigh variable force solenoid. The solenoid 150 commands a fluid pressureby sending pressurized hydraulic fluid to port 132A to act on the spool146. Simultaneously, fluid pressure from the main fluid line 126 entersport 132G and acts on the opposite side of the spool 146. Pressurebalance between the commanded pressure from the solenoid 150, pressurewithin the main supply line 126 and a spring 153 is achieved as thespool 146 moves and allows selective communication between port 132D andport 132E and port 132D and port 132C and between port 132D and port1238. Under higher pressure from the pump 118, the pressure regulatorvalve fully strokes and pressure bleeds from port 132D to port 1328 tofeed the TCC subsystem 106 while fully opening flow to port 132E.

The main supply line 144 communicates hydraulic fluid from the pressureregulator valve 132 to an actuator feed limit valve 160, a first orprimary pulley valve 162, a secondary pulley valve 164, and a ESSsubsystem 166. The one way valve 145 prevents hydraulic flow into themain pump 118 when the main pump 118 is non-operational.

The actuator feed limit valve 160 is connected between the main supplyline 144 and the solenoid feed line 152. The actuator feed limit valve160 limits the maximum pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to thesolenoid feed line 152 by selectively closing a direct connectionbetween the main supply line 144 and the solenoid feed line 152 andforcing the main supply line 144 to communicate with the solenoid feedline 152 through a flow restriction orifice 161. The actuator feed limitvalve 160 exhausts to a backfill circuit 168 that communicates with ablow-off valve 169. The blow-off valve 169 is set at a predeterminedpressure and if the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the backfillcircuit 168 exceeds this pressure, the blow-off valve 169 opensmomentarily to relieve and reduce the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

The primary pulley valve 162 and the secondary pulley valve 164 formpart of the ratio control subsystem 104. The primary pulley valve 162selectively controls hydraulic fluid flow from the main supply line 144to a primary pulley 170 via a primary pulley feed line 172. The primarypulley valve 162 is modulated by a primary pulley control solenoid 174that communicates with a signal line 175. The primary pulley controlsolenoid 174 receives hydraulic fluid from the solenoid feed line 152and is preferably a normally high variable force solenoid. The solenoid172 commands a primary pulley position by sending pressurized hydraulicfluid to act on the primary pulley valve 162 which in turn controls theamount of hydraulic fluid from the main supply line to the primarypulley 170. The primary pulley valve 162 exhausts into the exhaustbackfill circuit 168.

The secondary pulley valve 164 selectively controls hydraulic fluid flowfrom the main supply line 144 to a secondary pulley 176 via a secondarypulley feed line 178. The secondary pulley valve 164 is modulated by asecondary pulley control solenoid 180 that communicates with a signalline 181. The secondary pulley control solenoid 180 receives hydraulicfluid from the solenoid feed line 152 and is preferably a normally highvariable force solenoid. The solenoid 180 commands a secondary pulleyposition by sending pressurized hydraulic fluid to act on the secondarypulley valve 164 which in turn controls the amount of hydraulic fluidfrom the main supply line to the secondary pulley 176. The secondarypulley valve 164 exhausts into the exhaust backfill circuit 168.Translation of the pulleys 170, 176 correlates to movement of a belt(not shown) in the CVT which varies the output or gear ratio of the CVT.

The ESS subsystem 166 provides hydraulic fluid pressure to the mainsupply line 144 during an automatic engine stop/start event where theengine is automatically shut off during certain operating conditions.During this event, the engine driven pump 118 is also shut off, therebyleading to a drop in pressure within the main supply line 144. Theexhaust backfill circuit 168 minimizes the drain out of the main supplyline 144. However, during engine restart, lag in pump operation can leadto unwanted shift delay. The ESS subsystem 166 assures immediatepressure to certain systems. The ESS subsystem 166 includes a one-wayvalve 182, an on/off solenoid 184, a flow restriction orifice 185, andan accumulator 186. The one-way valve 182 is connected to the mainsupply line 144 and to an accumulator line 188. The one-way valve 182allows fluid flow from the main supply line 144 to the accumulator line188. The on/off solenoid 184 is disposed in parallel with the one-wayvalve 182 and communicates between the main supply line 144 and theaccumulator line 188. The on/off solenoid 184 opens to release thestored fluid within the accumulator 186. The accumulator 186 isconnected to the accumulator line 188. The accumulator 186 is an energystorage device in which the non-compressible hydraulic fluid 113 is heldunder pressure by an external source. In the example provided, theaccumulator 186 is a spring type or gas filled type accumulator having aspring or compressible gas or both that provides a compressive force onthe hydraulic fluid 113 within the accumulator 186. However, it shouldbe appreciated that the accumulator 186 may be of other types, such as agas-charged type, without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. As noted above, the accumulator 186 is charged through theone-way valve 182 and orifice 185 during normal operation of the CVT.The accumulator 186 is released when the solenoid 184 is opened duringthe start phase of an engine stop/start event.

The TCC subsystem 106 includes a TCC regulator valve 190, a convertercontrol valve 192, and a TCC fault valve 194. The TCC regulator valve190 includes ports 190A-D. Port 190A communicates with a signal line196. Port 190B communicates with a branch 152A of the solenoid supplyline 152. Port 190C communicates with a converter feed line 198. Port190D is the feedback port and communicates with converter feed line 198.

The TCC regulator valve 190 further includes a spool 200 slidablydisposed within a bore 202. The spool 200 is biased (i.e. de-stroked) bya spring 204. The spool 200 automatically changes position to regulateflow from the solenoid supply line 152A to the converter feed line 198until a pressure balance is achieved between a commanded pressure andthe actual pressure. The commanded pressure is commanded by a TCCregulation solenoid 206. The spool 146 is modulated by the TCCregulation solenoid 206 that communicates a hydraulic fluid signal tothe signal line 196. The TCC regulation solenoid 206 receives hydraulicfluid from the solenoid feed line 152 and is preferably a low flow,normally low variable force solenoid. The solenoid 206 commands a fluidpressure by sending pressurized hydraulic fluid to port 190A to act onthe spool 200. Simultaneously, fluid pressure from the converter feedline 198 enters port 190D and acts on the opposite side of the spool200. Pressure balance between the commanded pressure from the solenoid206, pressure within the converter feed line 198 and the spring 204 isachieved as the spool 200 moves and allows selective communicationbetween port 190B and 190C. It should be appreciated that solenoid 206and valve 190 can become a single high flow, normally low variable forcesolenoid without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The TCC control valve 192 controls the engagement of a torque converterclutch 210 within a torque converter 212. The TCC control valve 192includes ports 192A-I. Ports 192A and 192B communicate with a fault feedline 214. Port 192C communicates with a TCC release line 216. The TCCrelease line 216 communicates with a blow-off valve 217 and releases thetorque converter clutch 210 when pressurized hydraulic fluid isreceived. Ports 192D and 192E communicate with parallel branches 142Aand 1428 of the TCC feed line 142. Port 192F communicates with a coolerline 218. The cooler line 218 communicates with a blow-off valve 220 andan oil cooler subsystem 222. Port 192G communicates with a TCC applyline 224. The TCC apply line 224 applies the torque converter clutch 210when pressurized hydraulic fluid is received. Port 192H communicateswith the converter feed line 198. Port 1921 communicates with the signalline 196.

The TCC control valve 192 includes a spool 228 slidably disposed withina bore 230. The TCC control valve 192 is controlled by the TCCregulation solenoid 206 via the signal line 196. The TCC regulationsolenoid 206 toggles the spool 228 between an “apply” and “release”state. In the “apply” state the spool 228 is moved to the left againstthe bias of a spring 232 and the apply line 224 is fed hydraulic fluidfrom the converter feed line 198 via communication of ports 192G and192H. In the “apply” state port 192E communicates with port 192F tosupply fluid from the feed line 142 to the cooler line 218 while port192B exhausts the converter 210 through the fault feed line 214 and thefault valve 190. In the “release” state the spool 228 is moved to theright (i.e. stroked by the spring 232) and port 192G communicates withport 192F to communicate the hydraulic fluid within the apply line 224to the cooler line 218. In the “release” state port 192D communicateswith port 192C to communicate hydraulic fluid from the converter feedline 142 to the release line 216 and port 192B is closed.

The TCC fault valve 194 assures that hydraulic fluid is provided to therelease line to keep the torque converter 212 filled with hydraulicfluid. The TCC fault valve 194 includes ports 194A-D. Port 194A is anexhaust port that communicates with the sump 114. Port 192B communicateswith the fault feed line 214. Port 194C communicates with a branch 142Cof the converter feed line 142. Port 194D communicates with the signalline 196.

The TCC fault valve 194 includes a spool 231 slidably disposed within abore 233. The position of the spool 231 is controlled by a signalreceived from the TCC regulation solenoid 206 via port 194D. The spool231 moves between a first position and a second position. In the firstposition the spool 231 is moved to the right by the bias of a spring 235and port 194C allows fluid communication between the converter feed line142 and the fault line 214, thereby pressurizing converter fault line214, assuring that hydraulic fluid is available to the release line 218in the unlikely event that the spool 228 of the TCC control valve 192sticks in the “apply” state. In the second position the spool 230 ismoved to the left against the bias of the spring 235 and port 194C isclosed and 194A is open to exhausts. By opening exhaust port 194A, fluidis exhausted from within the converter feed line 142.

The clutch control subsystem 108 controls engagement of a Drive clutchactuator 260 and a Reverse clutch actuator 262. The Drive clutchactuator 260 and the Reverse clutch actuator 262 are controlled by asolenoid valve assembly 270 and a manual valve 272. The solenoid valveassembly 270 includes a clutch control solenoid 274 and a regulatorvalve 276. The solenoid 274 receives hydraulic fluid from the solenoidsupply line 152 and is connected to a signal line 278. The regulatorvalve 276 is fed oil from the branch 152A of the solenoid supply line152. The clutch control solenoid 274 is preferably a low flow, normallylow variable flow solenoid. The solenoid 274 selectively communicatesthe oil to the signal line 278 in order to move the regulator valve 276.The regulator valve 276 in turn selectively communicates the oil fromthe solenoid supply line 152A to a feed line 282. It should beappreciated that solenoid 275 and valve 276 can become a single highflow, normally low variable force solenoid without departing from thescope of the present invention.

The manual valve 272 communicates with the feed line 282, a Reverse line281, and with a Drive line 284. Movement of a range selector of anoperator of the motor vehicle in turn translates the manual valve 272between various positions including a Reverse position and a Driveposition. In the Drive position, the feed line 282 communicates with theDrive line 284. In the Reverse position the feed line 282 communicateswith the Reverse line 281. The Drive line 282 communicates with theDrive clutch actuator 260 while the Reverse line 281 communicates withthe Reverse clutch actuator 260.

Turning now to FIG. 2 and with continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1E, amethod 300 of enabling engine start/stop is illustrated and described ina flow chart. The method 300 may be implemented by the hydraulic controlsystem 100, including through the use of one or more controllers 301,shown in FIG. 1A. The controller 301 is a specialized computer orcontrol module such as a transmission control module (TCM), an enginecontrol module (ECM), or a hybrid control module, or any other type ofcontroller. The controller 301 is preferably an electronic controldevice having a preprogrammed digital computer or processor, controllogic, memory used to store data, and at least one I/O peripheral. Thecontrol logic includes a plurality of logic routines for monitoring,manipulating, and generating data.

The method 300 includes a step 302 of determining the stored volume inan accumulator (accumulator fill volume), such as the accumulator 186.The stored volume in the accumulator 186 may be determined bydetermining the pressure at which the line pressure command is set (box304) and determining the time at which the line pressure command is set(box 306). For example, if the accumulator 186 is filled passivelythrough the one-way valve 182, an algorithm may determine the storedvolume in the accumulator 186 by considering the pressure of the linepressure command and the time at which the line pressure command wasset. In the alternative, the stored volume of the accumulator 186 couldbe determined in any other suitable manner, such as through use of asensor (not shown). Based on the stored volume in the accumulator 186determined in step 302, the system 100 or method 300 determines whetherthe accumulator 186 is filled in step 308 by comparing the accumulatorstored volume to an accumulator fill volume. If the accumulator storedvolume is equal to or approximately equal to the accumulator fillvolume, then the accumulator is filled and fully charged.

If the accumulator 186 is not filled, the method 300 follows a path 310back to step 302, wherein the method 300 or system 100 determines theaccumulator stored volume 302, and then proceeds to step 308 asdescribed above. If in step 308, the system 100 or method 300 determinesthat the accumulator 186 is filled, then the method 300 follows a path312 to a step 314. In the step 314, the method 300 includes determiningwhether a vehicle stop has been detected. The autostop only occurs ifthe vehicle has been stopped. If a vehicle stop has not been detected instep 314, the method 300 follows a path 316 back to step 308. Ifhowever, a vehicle stop has been detected in step 314, then the method300 proceeds along a path 318 to a step 320.

In step 320, the method 300 includes determining whether a vehicleautostop is allowed. This step 320 may include considering such factorsas: whether the cabin air conditioning is on or off, the ambienttemperature range, the battery voltage or charge level, and vehiclespeed, by way of example. For example, the method 300 or system 100 maydetermine that vehicle autostops are not allowed if the air conditioningis on, if the ambient temperature is outside of a predetermined ambienttemperature range, if the battery is not sufficiently charged, and/or ifa vehicle speed exceeds a vehicle speed threshold. Such information maycome from another controller, by way of example. If the method 300 orsystem 100 determines that vehicle autostops are not allowed in step320, the method 300 follows a path 322 back to step 308, and the method300 proceeds from step 308. If however, the method 300 or system 100determines that vehicle autostops are allowed, the method 300 follows apath 324 from step 320 to step 326. It should be understood that thisstep 320 could alternatively be stated as determining whether vehicleautostops are inhibited, and if so, proceeding to step 308; if not,proceeding to step 326.

In step 326, the method 300 includes determining whether a CVTtransmission autostop is inhibited. This step 326 may includeconsidering such factors as: the automatic transmission fluidtemperature range and the CVT gear ratio, by way of example. Forexample, the method 300 or system 100 may determine that transmissionautostops are inhibited if the automatic transmission fluid temperatureis outside of a predetermined fluid temperature range, or if the CVTgear ratio is outside a predetermined gear ratio range. Such informationmay come from another controller, by way of example. If the method 300or system 100 determines that transmission autostops are inhibited instep 326, the method 300 follows a path 328 back to step 308, and themethod 300 proceeds from step 308. If however, the method 300 or system100 determines that transmission autostops are not inhibited, the method300 follows a path 330 from step 326 to step 332. It should beunderstood that this step 326 could alternatively be stated asdetermining whether transmission autostops are allowed, and if so,proceeding to step 332; if not, proceeding to step 308.

In step 332, the method 300 includes allowing an engine autostop tohappen. In step 332, a message may be sent to an appropriate controller,which may be part of the hydraulic control system 100, to allowautostops. In other words, the message states that the CVT transmissionis ready for autostops. The message may be sent via a controller areanetwork (CAN) signal, in one variation, though any other type oftransmission is also acceptable. Thereafter, the engine may be stoppedto increase efficiency.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another variation of a method 400 of enablingengine start/stop is illustrated and described in a flow chart. Themethod 400 may be implemented by the hydraulic control system 100,including through the use of one or more controllers, by way of example.The method 400 is intended to be used when it is desired to fill theaccumulator 186 actively, such as through the accumulator solenoid 184.When the accumulator 186 is filled actively, the passive-fill valve 182may be eliminated, if desired, or both active and passive filling of theaccumulator 186 could be implemented through the accumulator solenoid184 and the passive-fill valve 182.

The method 400 includes a step 402 of determining whether a pump outputmodel indicates that the accumulator 186 can be filled. In step 402, thehydraulic control system 100 and method 400 determines whether the CVTclutches 260, 262, pulley sets 170, 176, and other components havesufficient hydraulic fluid pressure to run properly, and whether enoughextra hydraulic fluid pressure is available to open the accumulatorsolenoid 184 and fill the accumulator 186. If opening the accumulatorsolenoid 184 would result in a pressure drop above a predeterminedthreshold in the clutches 262, 260, pulley sets 170, 176, or othercomponents of the hydraulic control system 100, the method 400 andsystem 100 determine that the accumulator solenoid 184 cannot be openedand the accumulator 186 cannot be actively filled at the moment. Themethod 400 remains at step 402 until the pump output model indicatesthat the accumulator 186 can be filled.

If, in step 402, the pump output model indicates that the accumulator186 can be filled, the method 400 proceeds along path 404. For example,if the pump output model indicates that active filling of theaccumulator solenoid 186 would not result in a pressure drop above apredetermined threshold in the clutches 262, 260, pulley sets 170, 176,or other components of the hydraulic control system 100, the method 400and system 100 proceed along path 404 to step 406 to allow theaccumulator solenoid 184 to be turned on or opened. The pump outputmodel could be configured to determine how much pressure is beingproduced by the pump and how much pressure is needed by the clutches260, 262, pulley sets 170, 176, or other components, by way of example.

In step 406, the system 100 and method 400 includes turning on oropening the accumulator solenoid 184, which allows the accumulator 186to be actively filled by the pump 118 through the accumulator solenoid184. Then, the method 400 proceeds to step 408.

In step 408, the method 400 includes determining the stored volume inthe accumulator 186. The stored volume in the accumulator 186 may bedetermined by determining the pressure at which the line pressurecommand is set (box 410) and determining the time at which the linepressure command is set (box 412), in addition to determining when theaccumulator solenoid 184 is turned on. For example, if the accumulator186 is filled passively through the one-way valve 182 and activelythrough the accumulator solenoid 184, an algorithm may determine thestored volume in the accumulator 186 by considering the pressure of theline pressure command and the time at which the line pressure command isset, as well as when the accumulator solenoid 184 is opened. In thealternative, the stored volume of the accumulator 186 could bedetermined in any other suitable manner, such as through use of a sensor(not shown). Based on the stored volume in the accumulator 186determined in step 408, the system 100 or method 400 determines whetherthe accumulator 186 is filled in step 414.

If the accumulator 186 is not filled, the method 400 follows a path 416back to step 408, wherein the method 400 or system 100 determines theaccumulator stored volume 408, and then proceeds to step 414 asdescribed above. If in step 414, the system 100 or method 400 determinesthat the accumulator 186 is filled, then the method 400 follows a path418 to a step 419. In step 419, the system 100 or method 400 turns offthe solenoid 184. Thereafter, the method proceeds to step 420. In thestep 420, the method 400 includes determining whether a vehicle stop hasbeen detected. The autostop only occurs if the vehicle has been stopped.If a vehicle stop has not been detected in step 420, the method 400follows a path 422 back to step 414. If however, a vehicle stop has beendetected in step 420, then the method 200 proceeds along a path 424 to astep 426.

In step 426, the method 400 includes determining whether a vehicleautostop is allowed. This step 426 is similar to step 320 describedabove, and may include considering such factors as: whether the cabinair conditioning is on, the ambient temperature range, the batteryvoltage or charge level, and vehicle speed, by way of example. Forexample, the method 400 or system 100 may determine that vehicleautostops are not allowed if the air conditioning is on, if the ambienttemperature is outside of a predetermined temperature range, if thebattery is not sufficiently charged, and/or if the vehicle is moving toofast. Such information may come from another controller, by way ofexample. If the method 400 or system 100 determines that vehicleautostops are not allowed in step 426, the method 400 follows a path 428back to step 414, and the method 400 proceeds from step 414. If however,the method 400 or system 100 determines that vehicle autostops areallowed, the method 400 follows a path 430 from step 426 to step 432. Itshould be understood that this step 426 could alternatively be stated asdetermining whether vehicle autostops are inhibited, and if so,proceeding to step 414; if not, proceeding to step 432.

In step 432, the method 400 includes determining whether a CVTtransmission autostop is inhibited, similar to the step 326 describedabove. This step 432 may include considering such factors as: theautomatic transmission fluid temperature range and the CVT gear ratio,by way of example. For example, the method 400 or system 100 maydetermine that transmission autostops are inhibited if the automatictransmission fluid temperature is outside of a predetermined temperaturerange, or if the CVT gear ratio is outside a predetermined range. Suchinformation may come from another controller, by way of example. If themethod 400 or system 100 determines that CVT transmission autostops areinhibited in step 432, the method 400 follows a path 434 back to step414, and the method 400 proceeds from step 414. If however, the method400 or system 100 determines that CVT transmission autostops are notinhibited, the method 400 follows a path 436 from step 432 to step 438.It should be understood that this step 432 could alternatively be statedas determining whether transmission autostops are allowed, and if so,proceeding to step 438; if not, going back to step 414.

In step 438, the method 400 includes allowing an engine autostop tohappen. In step 438, a message may be sent to an appropriate controller,which may be part of the hydraulic control system 100, to allowautostops. In other words, the message states that the CVT transmissionis ready for autostops. The message may be sent via a controller areanetwork (CAN) signal, in one variation, though any other type oftransmission is also acceptable. Thereafter, the engine may be stoppedto increase efficiency.

After the autostop, at some point it will be desired to restart theengine to begin moving the vehicle. Thus, another method and controlsystem for controlling the engine restart system are illustrated in FIG.4 and generally designated at 500. The method 500 begins at step 501where the controller 301 determines that an engine auto-stop eventoccurred. At step 502 the controller 301 receives an “engine on” orengine restart command. The engine on command is an electronic signalcommunicated from another controller, such as the ECM, indicating thatthe engine of the motor vehicle has been started.

After the engine on command is received in step 502, the method 500proceeds along a path 504 to a step 506 of enabling a pulley pressuresolenoid command, along a path 508 to a step 510 of enabling anaccumulator solenoid on command, and along a path 512 to a step 514 ofenabling a CVT clutch fill pressure solenoid command. The paths 504,508, 512 may be proceeded along simultaneously or in a piecemealfashion. The only caveat is that it is preferable to finish filling thepulley sets 170, 176 prior to finishing filling the clutch cavities ofthe clutches 260, 262 beyond volume fill capacity to gain torquecapacity, which will be described in greater detail below.

The step 506 of enabling the pulley fill pressure solenoid commandallows the pulley sets 170, 176 to be filled with hydraulic fluidpressure from the pump 118 and/or the accumulator 186. At step 506 thecontroller 301 commands the solenoid 174 to provide a first pulleytarget pressure to the first or primary moveable pulley 170 and commandsthe solenoid 180 to provide a second pulley target pressure to thesecond or secondary moveable pulley 176. The first and second pulleytarget pressures are determined based on a desired gear ratio, clampforce, etc.

The step 514 of enabling the CVT clutch fill pressure solenoid commandallows the CVT clutches 260, 262 to be filled with hydraulic fluidpressure from the pump 118 and/or the accumulator 186. Initially, theclutches 260, 262 should be filled to fluid capacity, to the “kisspoint”, where the volume of fluid space in the cavity of the CVTclutches 260, 262 is filled, any further filling the clutch cavitieswould result in the clutch gaining torque capacity. It is preferablethat the clutch regulator valve 276 and clutch control solenoid 174regulate to a first clutch fill pressure for the clutch actuator 260 ofthe first or forward clutch or to regulate to a second clutch fillpressure for the clutch actuator 262 of the second or Reverse clutch orbrake. The first and second clutch fill pressures are set such thatthere is no clutch capacity in the CVT clutches 260, 262. In the step510, the accumulator solenoid command is turned on, which causes theaccumulator solenoid 184 to open and the accumulator 186 to fire.Therefore, the pulleys 170, 176 and clutches 260, 262 may be brought upto pressure by both the accumulator 186 and the pump 118.

Once the clutches 260, 262 are filled to fluid capacity, but withoutgaining torque capacity, the method 500 proceeds along a path 516 fromstep 514 to step 518. In step 518, the method 500 includes determiningwhether the pulleys are filled by determining whether a first pulleyactual pressure is equal to or greater than the first pulley targetpressure and determining whether a second pulley actual pressure isequal to or greater than the second pulley target pressure. The actualpressures are the pressures of the hydraulic fluid acting within thepulleys 170, 176 and providing the clamping force. The pulleys of theCVT require a high enough pressure to ensure sufficient clamping forcesfor the belt and pulley mechanism, as slippage of the belt against thepulleys 170, 176 is often undesirable. The amount of clamping pressurerequired is a function of the input torque to the transmission and theratio at which the variable transmission unit is operating. If theclamping pressure is low, there is a possibility of belt slippage.Accordingly, it is desirable to fill the pulleys 170, 176 prior tofilling the clutches 260, 262 beyond fluid capacity to gain torquecapacity. If the clutches are filled prior to the pulleys, thecontroller 301 commands the clutches to maintain the clutch target fillpressures.

If, in step 518, the method 500 and system 100 determine that thepulleys 170, 176 are not filled, the method 500 proceeds along a path520 back to step 514. If however, the pulleys 170, 176 are filled, themethod 500 proceeds along a path 522 from step 518 to step 524. In step524, the controller 301 commands solenoid 274 to provide one of a firstclutch engagement target pressure to the first clutch 260 or a secondclutch engagement target pressure to the second clutch 262 if the firstpulley actual pressure is equal to or greater than the first pulleytarget pressure and the second pulley actual pressure is equal to orgreater than the second pulley target pressure. The first clutchengagement target pressure is defined as a pressure in the first clutch260 sufficient to engage and transmit torque through the first clutch260 and the second clutch engagement target pressure is defined as apressure in the second clutch 262 sufficient to engage and transmittorque through the second clutch 262. Thereafter, the method 500 mayproceed along path 526 from step 524 to step 528. In step 528, themethod 500 includes implementing a regular CVT clutch control algorithmthat is used during normal operation of the CVT. Similarly, after thepulleys are filled via step 506, the method 500 may proceed along path530 from step 506 to step 532. In step 532, the method 500 includesimplementing a regular CVT pulley control algorithm that is used duringnormal operation of the CVT.

Along its other route, after the accumulator solenoid 184 is turned onin step 510, the method 500 proceeds along a path 534 from step 510 tostep 536. In step 536, the method 500 includes determining whether thepulleys 170, 176 and the clutches 260, 262 are filled. If the pulleys170, 176 and the clutches 260, 262 are not filled, the method 500proceeds along a path 538 from step 536 back to step 510. If, however,the pulleys 170, 176 and the clutches 260, 262 are filled, the method500 proceeds along a path 540 to a step 542.

In step 542, the method 500 includes determining whether the engine isup to idle speed. If the engine is not up to idle speed, the method 500proceeds along a path 544 back to step 510. If, however, the engine isup to idle speed, the method 500 proceeds along a path 546 from step 542to step 548. In step 548, the method 500 includes turning off theaccumulator control solenoid 184 to close the accumulator controlsolenoid 184. Normal operation of the CVT transmission and hydrauliccontrol system 100 ensues.

It should be appreciated that other orifice and check ball arrangementscan be used without departing from the scope of present invention,including a single orifice for fill and exhaust, or filling through asingle orifice and exhausting through two orifices. Likewise whileindividual fluid lines have been described, it should be appreciatedthat fluid lines, flow paths, passageways, etc., may contain othershapes, sizes, cross-sections, and have additional or fewer brancheswithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature andvariations that do not depart from the general essence of the inventionare intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A continuously variable transmission comprising: a hydraulic controlsystem; a pump driven by the engine for supplying a pressurizedhydraulic fluid to the hydraulic control system; a first pulley pairwith a first moveable pulley; a second pulley pair with a secondmoveable pulley; a first torque transmitting device; a second torquetransmitting device; and a controller having a preprogrammed digitalcomputer and memory for storing control logic, the control logicincluding a first control logic for commanding a first pulley targetpressure to the first moveable pulley, a second control logic forcommanding a second pulley target pressure to the second moveablepulley, a third control logic for commanding one of a first torquetransmitting device fill target pressure to the first torquetransmitting device or a second torque transmitting device fill targetpressure to the second torque transmitting device, a fourth controllogic for determining whether a first pulley actual pressure is equal toor greater than the first pulley target pressure, a fifth control logicfor determining whether a second pulley actual pressure is equal to orgreater than the second pulley target pressure, and a sixth controllogic for commanding a first torque transmitting device engagementtarget pressure to the first torque transmitting device or a secondtorque transmitting device engagement target pressure to the secondtorque transmitting device if the first pulley actual pressure is equalto or greater than the first pulley target pressure or the second pulleyactual pressure is equal to or greater than the second pulley targetpressure.
 2. The continuously variable transmission of claim 1 whereinthe controller further includes a seventh control logic for holdingeither the first torque transmitting device at the first torquetransmitting device fill target pressure or the second torquetransmitting device at the second torque transmitting device fill targetpressure until the first pulley actual pressure is equal to or greaterthan the first pulley target pressure or the second pulley actualpressure is equal to or greater than the second pulley target pressure.3. The continuously variable transmission of claim 2 wherein the firsttorque transmitting device fill target pressure is defined as a pressurein the first torque transmitting device insufficient to engage andtransmit torque through the first torque transmitting device and thesecond torque transmitting device fill target pressure is defined as apressure in the second torque transmitting device insufficient to engageand transmit torque through the second torque transmitting device. 4.The continuously variable transmission of claim 3 wherein the firsttorque transmitting device engagement target pressure is defined as apressure in the first torque transmitting device sufficient to engageand transmit torque through the first torque transmitting device and thesecond torque transmitting device engagement target pressure is definedas a pressure in the second torque transmitting device sufficient toengage and transmit torque through the second torque transmittingdevice.
 5. The continuously variable transmission of claim 4 wherein thefirst pulley actual pressure is a pressure of hydraulic fluid acting onthe first moveable pulley and the second pulley actual pressure is apressure of hydraulic fluid acting on the second moveable pulley.
 6. Asystem in a motor vehicle comprising: an engine; a continuously variabletransmission having: a hydraulic control system; a pump driven by theengine for supplying a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydrauliccontrol system; an accumulator; a first pulley pair with a firstmoveable pulley; a second pulley pair with a second moveable pulley; afirst clutch; a second clutch; and a controller having a preprogrammeddigital computer and memory for storing control logic, the control logicincluding a first control logic for receiving an engine on command, asecond control logic for commanding the accumulator to open if theengine on command has been received by the controller, a third controllogic for commanding a first pulley target pressure to the firstmoveable pulley, a fourth control logic for commanding a second pulleytarget pressure to the second moveable pulley, a fifth control logic forcommanding one of a first clutch fill target pressure to the firstclutch or a second clutch fill target pressure to the second clutch, asixth control logic for determining whether a first pulley actualpressure is equal to or greater than the first pulley target pressure, aseventh control logic for determining whether a second pulley actualpressure is equal to or greater than the second pulley target pressure,and an eighth control logic for commanding one of a first clutchengagement target pressure to the first clutch or a second clutchengagement target pressure to the second clutch if the first pulleyactual pressure is equal to or greater than the first pulley targetpressure and the second pulley actual pressure is equal to or greaterthan the second pulley target pressure.
 7. The system of claim 6 furthercomprising a ninth control logic for holding either the first clutch atthe first clutch fill target pressure or the second clutch at the secondclutch fill target pressure until the first pulley actual pressure isequal to or greater than the first pulley target pressure and the secondpulley actual pressure is equal to or greater than the second pulleytarget pressure.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein the first clutch filltarget pressure is defined as a pressure in the first clutchinsufficient to engage and transmit torque through the first clutch andthe second clutch fill target pressure is defined as a pressure in thesecond clutch insufficient to engage and transmit torque through thesecond clutch.
 9. The system of claim 16 wherein the first clutchengagement target pressure is defined as a pressure in the first clutchsufficient to engage and transmit torque through the first clutch andthe second clutch engagement target pressure is defined as a pressure inthe second clutch sufficient to engage and transmit torque through thesecond clutch.
 10. The system of claim 6 wherein the first pulley actualpressure is a pressure of hydraulic fluid acting on the first moveablepulley and the second pulley actual pressure is a pressure of hydraulicfluid acting on the second moveable pulley.
 11. The system of claim 6further comprising a tenth control logic for commanding the accumulatorto close if the engine has reached an idle speed and the first pulleyactual pressure is equal to or greater than the first pulley targetpressure, the second pulley actual pressure is equal to or greater thanthe second pulley target pressure, and one of the first clutchengagement target pressure is greater than or equal to a first clutchengagement actual pressure and the second clutch engagement targetpressure is equal to or greater than a second clutch engagement actualpressure.
 12. The system of claim 6 further comprising: an eleventhcontrol logic for determining an accumulator stored volume; a twelfthcontrol logic for determining whether the accumulator stored volume isequal to an accumulator fill volume; a thirteenth control logic fordetermining whether a motor vehicle stop has occurred; a fourteenthcontrol logic for determining whether an engine auto-stop is allowedbased on motor vehicle conditions; a fifteenth control logic fordetermining whether to inhibit the engine auto-stop based ontransmission conditions; and a sixteenth control logic for commanding anengine auto-stop if the accumulator stored volume is equal to theaccumulator fill volume, the motor vehicle has stopped, the engineauto-stop is allowed, and the engine auto-stop has not been inhibited.13. The system of claim 12 wherein the motor vehicle conditions includea cabin air conditioning status, an ambient temperature range, a batteryvoltage or charge level, an accumulator stored volume less than theaccumulator fill volume, and a vehicle speed.
 14. The system of claim 13wherein the engine auto-stop is prohibited if the cabin air conditioningis on, the ambient temperature is outside of a predetermined ambienttemperature range, the battery is not sufficiently charged, or thevehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold.
 15. The system of claim 12wherein the transmission conditions include a fluid temperature of thehydraulic fluid and a gear ratio of the continuously variabletransmission.
 16. The system of claim 12 wherein the engine auto stop isinhibited if the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is outside of apredetermined temperature range or the continuously variabletransmission gear ratio is outside a predetermined ratio range.
 17. Thesystem of claim 12 further comprising a seventeenth control logic fordetermining whether a pump output model indicates that the accumulatorcan be actively filled without compromising hydraulic control systemperformance.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the first control logicof commanding the accumulator to open if the engine on command has beenreceived by the controller includes commanding the accumulator to openif the pump output model indicates that the accumulator can be activelyfilled.
 19. A system in a motor vehicle comprising: an engine; a pumpdriven by the engine; a continuously variable transmission having: anaccumulator; a first pulley pair with a first moveable pulley; a firstvalve in fluid communication with the first moveable pulley forcontrolling a position of the first moveable pulley; a first solenoidfor controlling a position of the first valve; a second pulley pair witha second moveable pulley; a second valve in fluid communication with thesecond moveable pulley for controlling a position of the second moveablepulley; a second solenoid for controlling a position of the secondvalve; a torque transmitting mechanism; a third valve in fluidcommunication with the torque transmitting mechanism for controlling atorque carrying capacity of the torque transmitting mechanism; a thirdsolenoid for controlling a position of the third valve; and a controllerhaving a preprogrammed digital computer and memory for storing controllogic, the control logic including a first control logic for commandingan engine auto-stop, a second control logic for commanding an enginerestart command after the engine auto-stop has been commanded, a thirdcontrol logic for commanding the accumulator to open after the enginerestart has been commanded, a fourth control logic for commanding thefirst solenoid to control the first valve to provide a first pulleytarget pressure to the first moveable pulley, a fifth control logic forcommanding the second solenoid to control the second valve to provide asecond pulley target pressure to the second moveable pulley, and a sixthcontrol logic for commanding the third solenoid to control the thirdvalve to provide an engagement target pressure to the torquetransmitting mechanism if a first pulley actual pressure is equal to orgreater than the first pulley target pressure and a second pulley actualpressure is equal to or greater than the second pulley target pressure.20. The system of claim 19 further comprising a seventh control logicfor commanding the accumulator to close if the engine has reached anidle speed and the first pulley actual pressure is equal to or greaterthan the first pulley target pressure, the second pulley actual pressureis equal to or greater than the second pulley target pressure, and theengagement target pressure is greater than or equal to an engagementactual pressure.